A DEAF teenager from Wirral wants to inspire others to achieve their dreams after being selected by the Football Association to take part in their future stars development programme.

Lauren Hall, who is 14 and a student at West Kirby Grammar School, has also set herself the task of representing Team GB in athletics in the future as well as raising cash to help others.

Despite losing her hearing aged six Lauren has refused to let her disability stand in her way.

As well as coping with her own problems she is also a carer for her mum Karen who is losing her sight through a rare genetic condition.

Mrs Hall said: “I am so proud to be her mum, she’s an inspiration to others with her positive attitude, zest for life, accepting new challenges and approaching her disability so positively.”

Lauren, from Irby, plays mainstream football with Irby Girls U14s, has been part of the Everton squad and also plays with Liverpool FC Foundation Ability Counts.

She is currently helping her mum set up a team for the proposed North West Deaf Football League so that others can benefit from inclusion through sport, and is looking to set up a local group, or possibly a charity that encourages children to be active and try new sports and activities.

Each month Lauren uses her pocket money to sponsor Logan, a Hearing Dog and Tilly, a Guide Dog to be able to help others with challenging disabilities.

She has also taken part in two triathlons to raise money for Wirral Deaf Children’s Society and other fund raising activities such as waitressing at the Mayor of Wirral’s Strawberry Tea and helping pack bags at a supermarket.

In November she was voted the Young Personality of the Year in the Liverpool ECHO Pride of Merseyside Awards.

Cheshire County FAselected her for their Player Development Programme and also to play at the Lancashire FA Centre of Excellence in Leyland in their Development programme for talented young players. This forms part of the FA’s National Pathways to Success for football. She is the only female player selected for both programmes.

She takes an active part in helping develop the new North West Deaf Friendly Football League and is trying to organise a football festival on the Wirral next year.

Lauren’s headteacher Kirsty Whiteley said: “Lauren really is an inspiration to all her friends and fellow students. She copes admirably with her disability and refuses to let it interfere with her day-to-day activities and future ambitions. We are extremely proud of her achievements both in her sporting career and in her fund raising activities to which she devotes so much of her free time.”

Her latest initiative is to form a Wirral based charitable foundation through a football club for the deaf.

She’s called the club Deaf Leopards and has already had it affiliated to CheshireCounty FA. She’s designed logos, posters and event tickets and is using social media to organise events .

Accessibility

GSpeech

News By Category

Creating Opportunities Today!

Sign up for our newsletter!

Email:

Twitter

Are you interested in sponsoring the biggest & best Diversity Awards in the UK?
Sponsorship Opportunities for the 2019 National Diversity Awards are now available!
For more information, please visit our website! ow.ly/DAa730n21Xg#NDA19pic.twitter.com/lb4HX6rcdz

A HUGE thank you has to be extended to our 2018 National Diversity Awards Judging Panel. A collection of truly wonderful D&I leaders who dedicated their time and ploughed all of their efforts into ensuring that we created a genuine and inspirational NDA Shortlist! #NDA18pic.twitter.com/m3StVtPjvt

Sponsorship opportunities available at The National Diversity Awards 2019!
For more information on how your organisation can get involved with The NDA's & to hear more about the opportunities available please feel free to contact the NDA team - info@nationaldiversityawards.co.uk pic.twitter.com/3wOjUJqtaw

Nominations for the 2019 National Diversity Awards open in February next year!
#RT If you are excited! Have you got your nominations in mind? It's never too early to gather your thoughts!
For more information, please visit our website! ow.ly/Qulz30n0Mz1#NDA19pic.twitter.com/yey70jrzkB